Ever since its creation, he Star-Spangled-Banner Flag has been a symbol of peace, freedom, and all things that matter to our country. Most Objects from old history have wasted away in a corner of some old building, but the Star-Spangled Banner has not been forgotten. Why? The reason why is because it is our country's emblem, and should not be forgotten.

      The Star-Spangled Banner is one of America's most valuable objects, being the emblem that united our people in the war of 1812. The Star-Spangled Banner is facing crisis, though. Fibers in the Flag's Wool and cotton have been weakened by nearly two centuries of exposure to light, dust, and overall being out in the world with no protection. Historians have only just realized that the Star-Spangled Banner is slowly withering away.

      Efforts trying to conserve the flag date back from 1914 after it was donated to the Smithsonian institution. By that time, the flag was one hundred years old with several damages from the weather and time.

      The Star-Spangled Banner was donated by George Armistead's Grandson, E.B. Appleton, who wished for the Flag to be visible to anyone who wants to see it. At first, the Flag was a loan. Then, in 1912, E.B. Appleton  changed the loan to a gift.

It was the war of 1812; The Battle of Fort Henry left several holes and tears in the star spangled banner. Armistead, who lived in Baltimore, had owned the flag for over 100 years, gave away pieces as souvenirs.  One considerable piece provided a burial robe for American Solder! A missing star in Old Glory was created with a removal of the 15 stars. It was thought to be a gift to President Abraham Lincoln or a high Confederate officer. An upside-down red letter "V" was sewn into the flag, and was thought to be the start of the commander of the war of 1812.

The Project started in December 3, 1998, and will end in 2002. It will cost approximately 36.2 million dollars. The leader of the most of the money is Polo Ralph Lauren is providing a whopping 13 million dollars. A warehouse was built to hold the 30-by-42 foot flag, and has it's own heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system that keeps the air free of contaminants and maintains a steady temperature and good humidity.  To look at a picture of this lab, go to http://web8.si.edu/nmah/htdocs/ssb-old/7_preserving/7d_project/fs7d.html then go to 'conservation lab' then click on the picture. This page has a diagram of the Area that they built.  The Flag has a table that supports the Flag, so that it is not laying on the floor picking up dust. The room that the Flag is in is called the Conservation Lab.  Inside that room is a system that prevents large fires from ravaging the great wool.  Near that is the Support lab. In the area outside of the conservation lab is one large sheet of glass, allowing visitors to view the Flag, as well as the workers themselves.  One oddity is that the workers use small surgical tools that doctors use. Over the Star-Spangled Banner is a large platform so that workers can bend over the flag to add stitches without standing all over the flag, covering the vulnerable fibers with dirt and pollutants, or maybe even dog poop. This platform hovers from 2-3 inches above the flag.